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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Category: Musings & Ramblings

Posts under this category tend to be reflective and at times a form of my own “talk therapy” as the act of writing down my thoughts and feelings can sometimes help me to work through them. I try not to be political or controversial in what I write, so you won’t find many of my “world views” shared here. (But in this COVID-pandemic world, I urge my fellow humans to wear a mask, social distance, and get the blood vaccine when it’s offered to you!)

Posted on9 April 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Breaking points

by Just Frances10 Comments on Breaking points

Life is hard these days and sometimes I wonder what my limits are. Sometimes I wonder how many more disappointments and frustrations I can manage…

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Posted on28 March 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A widow dating rant

by Just Frances10 Comments on A widow dating rant

I think one of the hardest things about dating as a widow(er) is the guilt that comes along with it. Worse is that some of…

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Posted on4 March 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Looking for love

by Just Frances5 Comments on Looking for love

Dating is hard. Dating in your late 30s and early 40s is hard. Dating as a widow is hard. And trying to do all three…

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Posted on1 March 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Just a widow burden

by Just Frances3 Comments on Just a widow burden

From time to time, I get emails from people reading my blog. And today was one of those days. It seems that a relatively new widow, Lucy*,…

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Posted on22 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Always the sun

by Just Frances2 Comments on Always the sun

The weather forecast today was for sleet and snow. But I was enticed out for a walk with a friend, so bundled up to face…

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Posted on21 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Spa 41

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Spa 41

Astute Just Frances readers may know that today is my 41st birthday. And curious readers may wonder how I celebrated the day. So, that’s what…

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Posted on20 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Deconstructing 40

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Deconstructing 40

Today is my last day as a 40-year-old woman. It’s the last day of what I had hoped would be an empowering and fabulous year of…

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Posted on12 February 201524 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Letters home

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Letters home

As part of February’s letter-writing challenge, I’ve decided that I need to think a little more about who I write to. Obviously, I can write to…

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Posted on4 February 201524 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Random memories: Why green?

by Just Frances3 Comments on Random memories: Why green?

My favourite colour is green and has been since I was a young child. I’m sure most people know that, but I doubt that anyone…

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Posted on3 February 201524 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Compliments and criticisms

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Compliments and criticisms

What do the words “you’re pretty” and “you’re wrong” have in common? I struggle to accept them! Compliments and criticisms are very similar to me in that way. Although…

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Posted on1 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Focused in February

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Focused in February

I’ve decided to dedicate February to getting back into a good, healthy routine. The idea is this: If I can re-focus enough of my energies,…

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Posted on19 January 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Life laughs

by Just Frances2 Comments on Life laughs

Sometimes I feel like the world is laughing at me; like life is laughing at me. Sometimes I feel like my entire life has been one failed…

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Posted on7 January 201524 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Every penny counts

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Every penny counts

What’s a penny worth to you? Is it worth stopping what you’re doing so that you can bend over and pick it up? What if…

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Posted on3 January 201524 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

I am sad and lonely

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I am sad and lonely

I took myself into town today for some sightseeing and struggled over how I felt about the day. I had originally planned to spend the…

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Posted on31 December 201424 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Reflections of 2014

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Reflections of 2014

The end of a year can only mean one thing: An obligatory end-of-the-year reflections post! At the start of the year, I had grand visions of…

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Posted on30 December 201424 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

The charity exchange

by Just Frances2 Comments on The charity exchange

I like to start the New Year with a fresh, clean start (as much as possible), which means doing a bit of de-cluttering and organising.…

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Posted on25 December 201424 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Christmas wishes

by Just Frances2 Comments on Christmas wishes

Christmas is a special time in my world because it is the celebration of my saviour’s birth. And as it’s a birthday celebration, birthday wishes…

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Posted on20 December 201424 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Remembering Murray

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Remembering Murray

Today was the funeral service for my dear friend, Murray. It was a hard day, but I am so pleased I was able to go…

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Posted on16 November 201410 May 2024Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

A year of PhD dreams

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A year of PhD dreams

Yesterday marked one calendar year since I matriculated as a research student in the Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University. It’s hard to believe…

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Posted on13 November 201424 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

The harm of not running

by Just Frances2 Comments on The harm of not running

Today’s journaling prompt was to write down five things I do to harm myself and to talk about what I can do to take better…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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